CAMP RIPLEY, Minn. - It was a challenging and rewarding two weeks for members attending the Army National Guard Funeral Honors Instructor Course, April 1-14, at Camp Ripley.

Soldiers of National Guard units from all over the United States took part in the course designed to educate team leaders in a variety of funeral honor detail tasks, traditions and responsibilities.

"It's a stressful course, but for our job, we have to be prepared to do our job under stress; and we all really benefitted from that," said Class Honor Grad, Sgt. Ryan Valline of the 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 136th Infantry.

In 2000, Congress passed the National Defense Authorization Act requiring the Department of Defense to provide military funeral honors for eligible veterans upon request. As a result, National Guard units of six states put into action a cooperative program to honor veterans of all military service components.

Minnesota joined this initiative in 2005 for the purpose of rendering Military Funeral Honors as a way to faithfully recognize the gratitude for the men and women who defended our country in times of peace and war.

At Camp Ripley, the Minnesota Funeral Honor Teams hosted the Level 2 Instructor Certification Course which develops and qualifies young leaders in order to instill the programs disciplines back in their own units.

"We work hard to get all the units on the same operating procedure," said Valline. "It's a guarantee for us; for everyone to be operating the same should we have to pull in someone from another state."

The Army National Guard conducts nearly 90 percent of all Military Funeral Honors for the Army and approximately 25 percent of all Military Funeral Honors for the Department of Defense nationwide. On average over 140,000 soldiers and veterans are buried with honors each year. In Minnesota the Funeral Honors Team conducts roughly 4,500 funerals across the state per year.

The course categories included drill and ceremony procedures, flag folding, uniform standards, rifle detail instruction and execution, as well as explaining the historical significance of the program and why Military Funeral Honor maintains curtain traditions.

"There is a lot to learn from courses that teach you how to trust and work with other," said Spc. Jennifer Lord, 1034th Quartermaster Company, Iowa National Guard. "It's important to learn to help each other so as a whole everyone can improve."

Each day of the course began at 5 a.m. to include physical training, which motivated the class and reinforced the standards of healthy living, as well as professional military appearance. Following the morning routine, the class conducted one of several drills geared to test their abilities as well as their leadership skills.

"My intent is to be the best that I can for my soldiers back home and be there to answer their questions," added Lord.

The class practices as a team through several drills including firing party, three-round volley and folding detail, each with a variation of team members. Appearance boards are also held as an exam as well as the proper method of conducting and instructing a full military funeral honors sequence.

A graduation ceremony was held Apr. 14 for the 12 students who successfully completed the course, and earned the right to proudly wear the honor guard tab. This tab, presented by Lt. Col. Scott Rohweder, G1 Army Personnel Division Chief for the Minnesota National Guard, is a symbol of their hard work and dedication to the program and qualifies them to participate in military funeral honors events.

"Train strict ... your people will relax, but if you train strict, their relaxed will become the standard; if you train relaxed their relaxed will become unsatisfactory," said Bryan Hise, Military Honors Senior National Trainer.

For more information about the military funeral honors program or to initiate a request for Military Funeral Honors for a deceased veteran, contact your local funeral home director or visit www.minnesotanationalguard.org/honorguard/. You will need to provide proof of military service in the form of a DD-214 or Statement of Service.

Posted: 2017-09-26 12:02 PM CAMP RIPLEY, Minn. - One of the most difficult, most sacred, honorable duties in the military is one that people don't often think about. It takes compassion, empathy, care, and requires great resilience. It is one that when called upon to train for, they hope to rarely perform because it means another Soldier has been lost. It is the duty of casualty notification officer and casualty assistance officer.

About 45 Minnesota Army National Guard Soldiers came to Camp Ripley, Minnesota, on September 21-22, 2017, for a Reset Seminar to find fellowship in one specific thing they have in common: delivering the worst news in the Army.

When a Soldier dies at home or overseas, CNOs and CAOs must notify and help families through the process, including paperwork, benefits, and funeral arrangements.

"The education and experience these Soldiers will receive is invaluable," said Command Sgt. Maj. Shane Hybben, 1-194th command sergeant major. "Our Soldiers will have operated in joint forces operations with fire and maneuver, which will allow for best practices to be shared and used in the future. They will have a better understanding of other military forces and how they operate not only strengthening our force but everyone involved."

The Brainerd-based battalion spearheaded the mission to Sweden as the most recent element of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division to have taken part in joint international training missions throughout Europe since early 2017.

Posted: 2017-09-20 08:33 AM WINTHROP, Mass. - Settled in 1630, Winthrop is one of the oldest communities in the United States. Service members of all branches of the military from this seaside town just north of Boston have fought on behalf of their state and nation since the Revolutionary War. On Saturday, Sept. 16th, Maj. Gen. Jon Jensen, the commanding general of the Minnesota-based 34th Red Bull Infantry Division, participated in a ceremony that honored one of Winthrop's own: Pvt. 1st Class Andrew Biggio.

Like so many young men of his era, 19-year old Winthrop native Andrew Giovanni Biggio raised his hand to volunteer for service in 1944. He was assigned to B Company, 135th Infantry Regiment of the 34th Infantry Division. An infantryman, Biggio fought valiantly with the Red Bulls, liberating the Italian towns of Viterbo, Cecina and Liverno. His heroic actions in combat earned Pvt. 1st Class Biggio a Bronze Star Medal.

"The Minnesota National Guard continues to diversify our force and grow strong leaders," said Brig. Gen. Sandy Best, chief of staff of the Minnesota Air National Guard. "Strong leaders are able to self-manage and channel emotions to produce desired behaviors and results."

The forum is part of an overall effort to promote an inclusive culture, diversify the organization, grow strong leaders and provide professional leadership development for both women and men. The topics will focus on emotional intelligence, leadership, high performing teams and creating a championship culture.